Paul J. Connolly

South Portland – Paul J. Connolly, 88, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2026. 

Paul was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 15, 1938, the son of the late William and Katherine (Scanlon) Connolly. Following high school, he began a long career with the New England Telephone Company, remaining with that company through multiple acquisitions, where he worked until his retirement. Paul then embarked upon a second career with the Conroy-Tully Funeral Home, where he was a familiar and compassionate presence to the many families he served. 

In addition to his regular work, Paul taught color guard and it was there that he met Mary Pizzo in Portland, Maine. In 1961, they married and shared a long and devoted marriage until Mary’s passing in 2015.  

Paul enjoyed many lifelong interests. In addition to becoming an award-winning color guard instructor for many years, he also liked listening to and attending the opera.  He was a member of and gave many volunteer hours to the Italian Heritage Center. Paul took up genealogy as a hobby and spent many hours researching his and Mary’s family histories, and enjoyed sharing this hobby with his grandsons. Paul and Mary traveled several times to Italy.  For over 40 years, he enjoyed summers with his family at their cottage on Little Sebago Lake. He was a very extroverted and sociable man and, with that nature and his many interests, he had many longtime friends. 

Paul was predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary; his parents; and his siblings. 

He is lovingly remembered by his daughters, Karen, and Margaret and her husband, Alessio; his son, Paul, and his partner, Debbie; his grandchildren, Laura and her husband, Jeffrey; Jonathan and his partner, Kayla; Anthony and his wife, Anne; and Gianluca and his partner, Jessica; several great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. 

Services will be private. 

Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Cremation, Funeral & Gathering Center.